Spain To Withdraw All Troops From Kosovo

MADRID (Reuters) -- Spain has announced plans to withdraw its over 600 troops from Kosovo, in coordination with other NATO countries, by the end of summer.

"Mission accomplished. It's time to go home," Defense Minister Carme Chacon said during a visit to Kosovo, where Spanish troops have been present as part of the KFOR mission since it was launched in 1999.

Spain is one of five European Union countries that has yet to recognize Kosovo -- which broke off from Serbia last year -- as independent.